kungfoodude

The offseason cycle is a few days from being over. We've read all the stories, watched all the videos, seen all the games, so what is getting your dick hard about this team headed into Week 1 and the start of real football? For me, it's watching this defensive unit. I really think that they are going to be fun to watch and I think we are going to see some big jumps in sack production and forced TO's in 2021. I think Burns is finally going to become a regular name on the lips of all the NFL broadcasters and writers and this DL unit is going to end up being possibly the best in the NFC South. Those are the things that get blood rushing to my crotchal region.

Paradis played well in stretches last season but he also played quite poorly at times. That's sort of the overall problem with him as a player, it's hard to have a streaky center. That's the guy on the line you really need stability from.

But we will see high caliber players all season long, perhaps not in the quantities that we faced against the likes of Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but it will not get easy, just easier. I'd make a pretty substantial wager that the coaches are concerned about that line, as well. I have been very down on the OL the entire length of the offseason, so I am quite worried about that side of the ball headed into the season. I am chomping at the bit to see this defense play though. They look like they are going to be a lot of fun to watch.

Yeah, that was surprising and troubling. They need to get it figured out and quickly. Otherwise Darnold is going to be seeing a lot of ghosts as his brain is occupied trying to run for his fuging life.

Yeah, speaking of the coddling thing, I kind of agree with the coaching staff on not playing Darnold much this preseason after watching that Steelers game.

It's a legitimate concern because this wasn't an isolated case of them looking underwhelming. Nor are we talking about players with pedigrees we can say, "Oh, well just are just getting warmed up for the regular season." These are guys that have been average to well below average their entire careers. It's pretty concerning the shape that OL unit is in. Like you said, it doesn't REALLY matter because that wasn't a real game. But, it's not comforting to see them get beaten more often than not over the course of three exhibition games. Let's just say, it won't exactly be a surprise if we see them getting blown up through 17 ACTUAL games either.

What about former NFL MVP Eric Crouch?

Probably not trolling as much as he's just one of these ardent "fug Sam Darnold" dudes. Which, I guess is kind of trolling in and of itself.

Yeah, I don't think you will see that same thing with Big Ben in there. If anything, he is probably going to be keen to challenge the rookie.

Well that didn't really play into it because they had so many good options to beat inside.

I mean....that's easy to say but even Pat Mahomes, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, etc all start to break down when they are constantly getting shelled. No QB can withstand constant pressure, especially when it is coming straight up the middle like it often was. Furthermore, Darnold is precisely the kind of QB you DON'T want to see that kind of pressure on because his history with the Jets shows he will attempt to make a play that isn't there and turn the ball over. Darnold's history is exactly why it is even more important to protect him.

Eh.....that's fair. They really have destroyed us recently. I suppose if that is the bar, this was better than that. Not much of a bar though.

I suppose. Like Zigod said, he didn't look terrible in the game. Although that was probably because the guys next to him were getting dump trucked. Not that hard to look good when everyone else is on skates 4 yards into the backfield at the snap.

I'm surprised I can even be coherent with this hangover.

I am not even asking much, just let one of them pan out. If we can get one quality starter out of a couple of 6th rounders and a 3rd rounder, that's a win. Agreed on the tackle situation. I think they are just really sold on Erving. I don't know why, I can't see it personally but we will see how it works out.

That was better than you expected?? Damn, I didn't think anyone had a lower opinion of that OL than me.

It didn't look good in that unit after free agency nor after the draft nor after the camps nor after the preseason. It just is what it is. If nothing else, let's hope the younger OL members show some flashes or start performing well over the course of the year. At least then we can see there is something to build from. Otherwise, it's gonna be year two of attempting to build a line around a single player(Moton).

That would actually be more understandable if that were the case.

I don't think we have to worry about that with this staff. They don't have any issue playing young players. Could be another Whitehead situation, the young guys just aren't quite there yet.

Real talk though, shows how much ESPN knows about our roster. The fuging write up about our game was 100% about Haskins.

I'd be butthurt about not being able to read too. Grab some coffee, it's early.

I mean....if it didn't.....

Yeah, I don't think we are going to see anyone there but Paradis. Last year of his deal, so just one more to get through. In fairness to Paradis, he has played well in stretches. Maybe we can see a few hot streaks during the year.

I even bolded it.